Marathoning until what age?

I saw an inspiring article the other day in The Columbus Dispatch online.

The article was about Jim Tornes, a Columbus, Ohio, resident who was planning to walk his 50th marathon on 1 November 2009 — in New York City.

As I am writing this I am about to participate in my 3rd marathon.

So seeing “50th” marathon was inspiring enough to me as I began to imagine completing my 3rd.

I know that at least some of my readers have completed tens of marathons (and you might be one of them), so “50th” might not be super-inspiring to them.

But check this out: Mr. Tornes (bib # 63914) signed up to participate in his 50th — and final — marathon at the age of 79.

Now THAT is inspiring!

I encourage you to read the complete article.

Why? Because preparing for a marathon is as much mental as it is physical. And mental preparation should include inspiration from others.

The most touching part of the article for me was the description of how his wife of 58 years had supported him in his marathon pursuits in countries as far-flung as England, Greece, Jamaica, and Scotland, and how he let go of his goal to climb Mount Everest out of respect for his wife’s concerns about it. (He “settled” for climbing Mount Rainier and several Colorado peaks instead.)

Who has inspired you to run your next marathon? How many marathons are “enough” … and by what age? Do you have an age in mind at which you plan to stop — or start(!) — participating in marathons? Please leave a comment here. Thanks!